New Orleans— Students of Hilbert College through Young Life, a non- denominational Christian ministry group,  spent their spring break on a service mission trip, helping the people of New Orleans. The group of eleven was led by Jake Peters, the Assistant Director of Residence Life at HIlbert College.  The students volunteered through the Saint Bernard Project, an organization that was set up in response to Hurricane Katrina, to help victims. The clients of the Saint Bernard project are usually people with a lower income, many of whom had been scammed out of initial relief and rebuilding efforts, people still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Katrina.

The trip started by attending a black Baptist church in the lower ninth ward, one of the worst affected areas of Hurricane Katrina. There was a lot of passion at the service, but there was definitely a sense of community. The preacher talked about stepping up when called upon and spreading the faith the question, “do I have a Joshua in the house”, was met with a robust “Amen”. These people that had endured so much expressed a great sense of joy by being together and sharing their faith, especially through their love of singing.  

Hilbert students worked at three work sites during their service learning trip, operating from the Mustard Seed Ministry House, a house that functioned similar to a hostel. The first site was the building of operations for the Saint Bernard Project organization, the job was to sand and paint the walls. The room will be renovated in order to rent out to a different non-profit group, which would bring down operating costs and ultimately allow for more funding to go to helping the people of New Orleans.

The next site was cleaning up roof tiles and garbage in a person’s backyard, the damage coming from the recent tornado that swept through the area. Driving to the site, the students saw the devastating effects from the tornado first hand, entire roofs had been removed from people’s homes and many doors were denoting the deaths that had resulted from the tornado.

The last work site was a Catholic middle school that had been submerged due to Hurricane Katrina and had not been opened since. The water level was still visible by the water marks on the door entering the school. While the lower level is currently being used for meetings, the upper level, which functioned as the school had not been touched, it was like viewing a snapshot in history. The chalkboards had not been erased, still showing some drawings, lessons and the last date that school was in session. After speaking with the deacon of the church it became clear, “ This school has been closed for eleven years and will not reopen, it’s a miracle that the bottom floor can be used, but this where we can find hope and hopefully be a light to the people.”

No matter where the Hilbert students worked, the locals of New Orleans were tough resilient and optimistic for the future. They found hope in many small victories and acts, and were greatly appreciated for the small acts of service that the Hilbert Students were able to provide.

Hamburg– On Friday, January 27, President Trump signed an executive order, temporarily banning people from seven Muslim – majority countries, while also issuing a temporary indefinite ban for people from Syria.

Mneerah Alkahil, a graduate student from St. Bonaventure expressed her thoughts about the ban and was able to provide some historical context, “this ban did not happen overnight, but it is an accumulation of years of anti-Muslim sentiments.” Mneerah, herself, is a dual citizen of the United States and Saudi Arabia and sees both perspectives of needing to be secure and of helping refugees in need. But she believes that the American media is falling short when it comes informing the public, “the media covers attacks only on the Western world, however, more Muslims are dying from terror attacks and the American media is giving almost no coverage to efforts by Muslim countries to combat terrorism.” Muslims are constantly being called to condemn and to do something about the terrorist attacks, yet it is people of the Muslim faith that are the overwhelming victims of terrorism. Some efforts to combat radical Islamic terrorism have included convening a Summit Security Committee hosted by Saudi Arabia and a coalition of over 34 Muslim countries.

The media too often unfairly targets Muslims, as Mneerah noted, “ Fox News is the highest rated show on television and they say that Islam is not a religion but an ideology.” These types of statements, whether intended or not, are demeaning and enhance the messaging of people seeking to recruit more followers to groups like ISIS. Mneerah described the issue of this mentality as, “ Muslims are seen as too different and that we contradict American values.” When asked what being a Muslim meant to her she responded, “Being Muslim means following the teachings of Mohammed and his followers, this includes, praying, fasting and showing your faith in how you treat people, it means to be kind and to perfect your work.”

Mneerah suggested some ways to break down barriers and to help eradicate some prejudice against people of the Muslim community, “Have conversations with different people, you’ll  be happy to get to know someone from a different culture.” She went on to explain the root causes of groups such as ISIS, “ ISIS attracts vulnerable people with homicidal thoughts, it’s like a gang that is using the pretext of religion. Many are criminals with prison records. They desire a clash of civilizations, the East versus the West.” According to her they are more of a political group than a religious group. American interventionism has contributed toward their recruitment and feeds into their narrative. According to Mneerah, “These people are living a different interpretation of Islam, the Quran is being taken out of context and not being read with the historical context, it was written for Mohammed during his time, we need to re-read and re-evaluate the Muslim texts.”

When asked where she sees hope for a brighter future she said, “ I hope that we look back on this as the crazy phase. But there is hope from people protesting on behalf of total strangers at airports or people like lawyers helping immigrants.” Instead of responding out of fear and anger, people should be  willing to listen to the perspective of someone else and  be compassionate.

Hilbert College — The Committee for Diversity and Inclusion hosted a public forum to discuss the immigration ban issued by President Trump; featuring Dr. Andrew Kolin, a political science professor at Hilbert College as the keynote speaker.

Ahyana King, director of Multicultural Affairs at Hilbert, introduced Dr. Kolin, and also noted that HIlbert was helping to sponsor a family immigrating to Buffalo. Dr. Kolin began by stating that Trump had issued an executive order named, “Protecting The Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry To The United States”, along with a temporary travel ban on seven muslim-majority countries, the executive order serves as an indefinite shutdown on immigration from the country of Syria. No country involved with 9/11 or Saudi Arabia, a major proponent of terrorism, was included in the ban. “This ban had a short term motive, and was drafted by Steve Bannon, a mouthpiece of the party”, claimed Dr. Kolin.

Dr. Kolin then gave historical context of the ban, and some of the anti- immigration sentiments that have occurred throughout our country’s history. Restricting immigration out of fear began with “ The Alien and Sedition Acts and the age of Nativism. The 19th century saw the rise of the Know- Nothing Party, it was during this time that Italians were branded as terrorists and later placed in internment camps.” Asians also served as scapegoats of American fears in our past, resulting in the Chinese Exclusion Act, with interment and school segregation serving as clear examples of this policy of hatred. In 1924, Congress passed the “Immigration Act” which turned away Jewish refugees. Citing these examples, Dr. Kolin tried to illustrate that the “Land of Immigrants” has not always been very welcoming to immigrants and has often been afraid of “the other”.

He continued discussing the recent executive order, stating, “ the Attorney Generals of sixteen states filed to halt the ban, and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled the ban

unconstitutional, on the grounds that it violates the establishment clause of the US Constitution, it also violates the state’s due process clause, as explained in the Fifth Amendment; and the individual’s right to due process noted in the 14th Amendment. In addition, the 1965 Immigration Law forbids discrimination based on nationality. The ban also violates provision of international law from the “United Nations Convention Against Torture”, granting civil and political rights for people that are emigrating.” Dr. Kolin also noted that it is in the best interest of the American people to allow refugees because, “birth rates are in decline and the US needs an infusion into the workforce that is vital to industries. According to the US Department of Labor, over 50% of farm labor is undocumented.” Similar numbers hold up in other industries as well, including the meat packing industry and various commercial services. “ Most of the 11 million immigrants earn under minimum wage, and the cost if they all left, would be 200 billion dollars annually.”

According to Dr. Kolin, “The main source of terrorism is caused by white supremacists, yet Trump called the Planned Parenthood attacker a maniac, if he had been a person of color he would likely be constantly saying that he was a terrorist, however there has been a rise in terrorist activity, especially by the KKK.” Trump is targeting the wrong demographic if he truly is concerned about the safety of the American people.

Dr. Kolin then shifted to talk about foreign policy, “The US is highly supportive of terrorism. The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation is supported by taxpayers and trains oppressive Latin American dictators. The United States is the top weapons buyer, dealer, military spender, has the greatest military presence, and is the greatest overthrower of governments.”  Dr. Kolin then quoted Martin Luther King Jr., “ The United States is the greatest purveyor of violence on earth.” “This ban is playing into the politics of fear, you have a 1 in 36 million chance of being killed by someone banned by the executive order, but in reality, it is US foreign policy that has contributed the most to the rise of ISIS. When polled, citizens in the Middle East are not as concerned about ISIS or other radical groups, “people are most afraid of terrorism committed by the United States and Israel.

In closing, Dr. Kolin pointed out that the ban was struck down as unconstitutional by President Bush appointees. He also cautioned that the executive branch has grown too powerful. During the question and answer period he anticipated that “Trump will likely seek an alternative method to implement the ban, the executive order was the fast track, he is now seeking to go after courts, and to silence the fourth estate.”

By Ryan Zunner

Agents from the U.S. Border Patrol arrested 23 suspected illegal aliens in Hamburg Monday afternoon, inside the parking lot of the 7-Eleven at the intersection of Southwestern and Sowles Road. Several Border Patrol, as well as Town of Hamburg Police, vehicles were on scene for over two hours arresting the 23 people who were apparently being transported through the area by two white cargo vans.

Local media reports that officials from the Border Patrol and its parent agency, Customs and Border Protection, are not releasing much information on the arrest at this time. They have said however, that this mass arrest was completely random, part of a regular patrol, and not the result of an organized raid. They have also released the nationalities of those arrested, and their countries of origin are all located in Central and South America.

Those officials also said that the convenience store is not connected to the arrests.

Those arrested will be transported to a federal facility in Batavia where they will be processed and held. They will eventually be processed through federal immigration court, which is also located in Batavia.

This is the second large immigration arrest that has occurred in Western New York in the past several months. Back in October, agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) capped off a two and half year investigation with a raid on four area Mexican restaurants. In that raid, 22 suspected illegal aliens were arrested, along with three people who were involved in the management of the restaurants.

By Jenah Schwabel

Valentine’s Day, a holiday that makes single individuals depressed, and couples stressed.  Candy makers, florists, and jewelers have a busy week ahead of them as consumers are expected to bring in $17.2 billion in Valentine’s Day sales this year, according to the National Retail Federation.

“For most couples, the expectation is that regardless of what the economic situation is,” Ron Hill, a professor at the Villanova University, said in a statement. “Love is one of the few things that we think has that infinite value.”

According to the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association, the average person spends nearly $116 on Valentine’s Day.  That’s 198 million roses grown, 58 million pounds of chocolate sold, and 174,000 gallons of wine consumed for the holiday.

“We have a crazy busy week leading up to the day, especially if the holiday falls on a week day, as most men send their valentines flowers at work” said Shenise Satanek, whose family owns Hess Brothers Florists in the Village of Hamburg.  Hess Brothers itself has been in business for 91 Valentine’s Days, as of this year.  The brothers opened up for business the week of Valentine’s Day in 1926. “We pride ourselves on our ability to deliver in a wide range area, we do this by helping other florists out and each florist takes deliveries to specific areas so we can deliver as many arrangements as possible to each area,” she said.

Americans began exchanging hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass-produced valentines in America. Howland, known as the “Mother of the Valentine,” made unique creations with real lace, ribbons and colorful pictures known as “scrap.” Today the American Greeting Card Association estimates that 1 billion Valentine’s Day cards are sent each year.

For many couples, the holiday can be more about your relationships future than it is about just impressing someone with elaborate gifts. According to an American Express report, nearly six million couples are likely to get engaged on Valentine’s Day.

“I’m actually working on a customized engagement ring now for a gentleman who plans to propose on Valentine’s Day,” said Heather Kolb, owner of Trevington Jewelers in the village. “Sales also rise in smaller token gifts of jewelry as well”.

By Jenah Schwabel

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Imagine traipsing around an 18 floor, 450 roomed building searching for spiritual existence that has been rumored to haunt one of Buffalo’s most historic hotels. For 72-hours, hosts of TLC’s “Paranormal Lockdown” documented their journey of the Statler City Hotel, which premiered to the public last Friday night.

After hearing about intense activity that takes place in the Statler, Ghost hunters, Nick Groff and Katrina Weidman, decided to bring the show to Buffalo.

Groff said the 95-year old building is one of the coolest and most active buildings they have ever explored.  It is roughly 950,000 square-feet- making this the largest site they have ever investigated. It may be true that thousands of guests have entered the Statler Hotel since its opening in 1921, but legends say that not everyone has left. He also stated that the hotel is rated one of their top ten favorite investigated locations because of the activity, history, and stories behind it.

Many believe ghosts linger throughout the hotel to this day, leaving many visitors with a story or two to tell.  Employees- along with many wedding goers- speak about the many encounters they have had with the spirits.  The activity has drawn a number of paranormal teams- including Groff and Weidman- to investigate.

“The stories that came out of there are possibly tied to some of the history, which I always find fascinating when you can tie certain activities to the past,” Weidman said. “It makes a stronger case that maybe a spirit is somebody who passed away and is coming back to communicate somehow.”

During the investigation the team experienced most activity in the Terrace Room, the Ballroom, the lower floor nightclub, along with the Turkish baths- a pool room located in the basement. They concluded that their findings validated claims from people who previously saw or heard unusual things.

The Statler City Hotel was once the site of Millard Fillmore’s home on Deleware Avenue.  After the property was sold, the hotel was built as the largest of its kind, being the first hotel in the United States to have bathrooms in each room. Thousands of guests have stayed at the Statler over time but some stand out more than others.  John F Kennedy and Theodore Roosevelt held many closed-door meetings at the hotel, famous mobster Al Capone was a frequent guest, and Elvis Presley was even stayed a time or two.

“Paranormal Lockdown” launched back in March 2016 and is the first paranormal TV series to conduct multi-day investigations. Hosts, Groff and Weidman, walk amongst the dead in some of America’s most haunted places. The group said they are interested in returning to Buffalo in the future for another visit. Doors have been opened to many hidden secrets that linger within the Statler City Hotel- secrets that have yet to be answered.

By Jenah Schwabel

Stephanie Cartonia began at Hilbert in the fall of 2016 as a sophomore transfer student. Right away, she said, she wanted to get involved in an activity that could help make a difference in peoples’ lives.

She learned about the Love Your Melon Campus Crew program, and decided that’s what she wanted to bring here to Hilbert.

“I have always loved the mission and the story of Love Your Melon even before I came to Hilbert.  I love helping and volunteering with children and giving back.  I bought a LYM hat to support them and the cause,” Cartonia said.

Love Your Melon is a trendy beanie company helping children fight pediatric cancer.  The brand was created by two college students from the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota.  What started out as a college entrepreneurial project quickly became much more.  Their starting mission was to give half of their profits to pediatric cancer charities such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, and many others.  The students set up a Love Your Melon lemonade stand with a box full of beanies on their campus.  Within two days they sold out.  Soon, Love Your Melon’s name spread across the country and many people became supporters.

These comfortable beanies are starting to be seen everywhere, as people love the story behind them.  The beanie is sold in many different styles and colors.  They are made of 100% cotton and designed to be soft enough for the sensitive skin of those undergoing cancer treatments.  The company has donated over $2.5 million to cancer research and have seen a 600 percent growth year to year since its founding in 2012.  A company co-founder said in an interview with the Twin Cities Pioneer Press that part of Love Your Melon’s success was that it has been embraced by professional athletes and musicians, whose support helps raise awareness of their brand.

The Love Your Melon Campus Crew Program is responsible for promoting the beanies at their campuses and in their local communities.  It is designed for students that are determined to improve the lives of children battling cancer, and raise awareness.  The program enlists over 12,000 college students across the U.S.  As the crew completes different challenges new credit levels will be opened and the crew can earn exclusive gear, as well as visiting local pediatric cancer patients to donate hats.

If you want to get involved in the new Hilbert LYM crew, you should contact Stephanie Cartonia.  After being accepted by the company to start a campus crew here, she is now in the final stages of Hilbert making this an official club for our campus.  The club is expected to be up and running within the next month.

By Ryan Zunner

National touring comedian Jen Kober drew laughter from a crowd of Hilbert students and faculty Tuesday night at the Swan Auditorium. Kober, who hails from Lake Charles, Louisiana, has made several appearances on TV and the silver screen. These include stints on ABC’s The Middle, BET’s Real Husbands of Hollywood, and Grudge Match starring Robert De Niro. Her stop at Hilbert was part of a four month-long college campus tour across the United States.

Kober prides her comedy style on that which blends elements of stand-up, storytelling, and improvised rock-n-roll comedy. For those in the audience on Tuesday, everyone seemed to leave with smiles on their faces.

Kober touched on many subjects throughout her one hour show. From her seemingly near-death experience skydiving, to attempting to play matchmaker with audience members, to even touching on the the new presidential administration.

The Jen Kober comedy night was just one of many events planned for the Hilbert community by the Student Activities department. Future events that are planned by Student Activities include a screening of the movie The Duff on January 31st, a game night playing “Life” in inside St. Joe’s on February 3rd, and a “Commuter Taco Tuesday” on February 7th. For more information on student events happening all around campus, keep your eyes glued to The Scribe and hilbert.edu/student-activities.

By Gabriel Esparza
Staff writer

Hamburg — Students can  now take their meals to go in plastic, washable containers from the Hilbert College dining hall. The college has introduced a new Styrofoam free takeout program called “Eco To-Go.” Students sign up for the program at the register. With a $15 purchase students will be able to take two containers at a time, and keep two on reserve. Dirty,  rinsed dishes will be returned back to the cafeteria and they will be replaced by two new ones. The two containers will include one soup bowl and one compartmentalized to-go box.

The move toward a more environmentally friendly takeout policy is driven by past excess waste. According to Jessica Lively, the food service director, Styrofoam plates and cups were taking up too much waste and too much of the budget. “The trash and dumpster were  constantly being filled, the Styrofoam order would be as high as 1200 boxes, just to be thrown out,” Lively said. Students would often use the to-go containers and still dine in. This kept the workers busier than necessary emptying trash. An additional factor was a possible health effect of students eating food from styrofoam, especially if food was microwaved inside the Styrofoam, Lively said.

Lively made it clear that the dining hall is not trying to turn a profit on the containers and said, “we are currently breaking even.” The cost for access to the four containers is currently $15, if you sign up before Jan 31. That’s down from the original $20 price. The containers are microwaveable, dishwasher safe and can be placed in the freezer.

by Brynn Biesik

Though December marks a time of jolly spirits and mass consumerism, it also means finals are right around the corner – at Hilbert, they start on Tuesday, Dec. 13.

As if people didn’t have enough to worry about, buying gifts, driving in the snow, and having to talk to relatives that they haven’t seen since the last family reunion, the pressure to study for every class loudly crashes beneath the surface. In an attempt to try and do everything, people will stay up all night in a Red Bull-induced rage of key board mashing and crying. We are all going through the struggle. So, after asking not-so-qualified personnel about de-stressing techniques it was apparent everyone was going through the ringer.

“Meditate. Not even in the religious kind of way. Just clear your mind and focus on positivity. That, or just go for a walk,” Theater and Communications Professor Taylor Doherty suggested. Though it’s getting cold there are many benefits of doing both activities. One releases the happy hormone called endorphins, and the other helps a person mentally drain the bad vibes so only positivity energy is retained.

“I distract myself by avoiding life’s responsibilities by immersing myself in a fictitious world that doesn’t have taxes, tests, or Trump. A world like Halo.” Said Alicia Southworth, a sophomore Forensics Science major. Immersing one’s self in an entirely different mindset is actually good for a person when studying. Studying should be done in intervals, not in a constant string of self-loathing hours.

It’s tough right now, everyone can agree. But, if you focus on Eudaimonia — that awesome feeling of accomplishment lying in bed at the end of a hard day’s work — the ends will justify those three nights of staying up to high-five the sun.